New trial ordered for man convicted of beating officer to death

A new trial has been ordered for the man convicted of beating an off-duty officer to death.

Juan “Johnny” Gonzalez was convicted of murder in 2014 for beating El Paso Police Officer Jonathan Molina to death. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

The confrontation took place on September 25th, 2012 in Central El Paso after investigators said Gonzalez keyed a car then beat Officer Molina so badly, he died days later from his injuries at the hospital.

The District Attorney’s office confirms with ABC-7 the conviction has been reversed. Texas Eighth District Court of Appeals ruled the evidence of possible drug use by Gonzalez hours before the incident, was an “erroneous admission of evidence in the guilt/innocence phase.”

The now 21-year-old will stand a new trial at a later date. Gonzalez was initially facing a capital murder charge during his trial but was instead convicted of a lesser charge of murder.

In a statement to ABC-7, the district attorney’s office says, they intend to appeal the opinion of the Court of Criminal Appeals, adding, “We believe the trial judge made the correct ruling on the disputed issue and are disappointed with the opinion of the 8th Court.”

It’s unclear how soon a trial could be scheduled.